Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated that the Academic Advisory Board of the National Institute of Education (NIE) has directed that no web links be included in future learning modules prepared for the second and third terms under the government’s education reform programme.
Making a statement in Parliament today (09), the Prime Minister clarified that the websites and other online sources currently referenced in the modules are freely accessible and do not require any payment. She emphasized that the use of government websites does not raise concerns related to transparency, accountability, or procurement procedures.
She further noted that the Task Force for Digital Transformation in Education has conducted a study on child protection aspects related to digital usage and has developed a corresponding policy framework and set of guidelines. These policies and guidelines, she said, will be presented to the Academic Advisory Board of the NIE in due course.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the NIE will not receive any financial benefit from the ongoing education reforms. She revealed that nearly 92% of primary-grade teachers have already received the required training.
However, she acknowledged that training programmes could not be conducted in certain provinces due to the prevailing disaster situation experienced across the country in recent months. Accordingly, arrangements are expected to be made to provide training for the remaining teachers before the commencement of the school term for Grades 01 and 06.
Dr. Amarasuriya further clarified that the use of the internet is not mandatory for the implementation of educational activities, and that teachers have been given the option to use it solely as a supplementary learning aid. She added that all information related to the new modules has been incorporated into the Teacher’s Guide, enabling lessons to be conducted without relying on internet-based applications.
She also stated that student assessments are expected to be conducted through a computer-based application in the future. Training programmes related to this initiative were implemented in 2025, and she assured Parliament that further steps will be taken to enhance teachers’ technological knowledge in the years ahead.
